Two public swimming pools in Christchurch, New Zealand, are undergoing maintenance or redevelopment, with one set to reopen later this week ahead of the school holidays.

The leisure pool at Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre, closed since early June due to a leak, is scheduled to reopen tomorrow. Initially expected to be shut for a few weeks, the closure was extended after further inspections uncovered the full scope of the problem. Nigel Cox, Christchurch City Council’s head of recreation, sports and events, said repair efforts are progressing well and the delay was primarily due to comprehensive checks to confirm no additional leaks existed. During the closure, the council also took the opportunity to upgrade the filtration system and install a new circulation pump. The leisure pool is currently being refilled and reheated in preparation for its reopening. Other facilities at Pioneer remain open to the public.

Meanwhile, Jellie Park Recreation and Sport Centre has been closed since April as part of a major renewal and structural strengthening project. Cox said the redevelopment is moving as planned, with demolition work nearing completion across the buildings. The council has ordered replacement equipment, and fabrication of structural steelwork to reinforce the site is underway. A significant phase of the project is expected in August when the roof and walls of the recreation pool hall will be removed as part of the upgrade. The outdoor pools and fitness areas aim to reopen in November, while the indoor pools are projected to be ready by the end of March next year.

With the closure of the Pioneer leisure pool and the ongoing work at Jellie Park, visitor numbers at Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre, Christchurch’s newest facility, have increased slightly but remain manageable. Cox noted some changes to pool usage patterns during this period but described overall operations as business as usual.